Aug-Peridot

There are three birthstones for August, and these include peridot, spinel, and sardonyx. Peridot birthstone is highly remarkable as it is known to have been formed under extreme conditions since it can be found in the hardened lava that carried it from deep within Earth's mantle and even in meteorites that traveled from outer space. The spinel birthstone was understated until recently. Today's consumer wants the alternative to ruby, with which red spinel was mistaken for centuries. A true original August birthstone was Sardonyx which has been around for more than 4,000 years. Find out more about these three August birthstones and get that perfect gift, especially for the August babies out there.

Peridot Birthstone Meaning & History

Peridot is the yellowish green to greenish yellow gem variety of the mineral olivine. In the course of history, peridot has often been confused with other gems such as topaz and emerald. The Red Sea island of Topazios, a purported source of the name "topaz," actually produced peridot. The Shrine of the Three Holy Kings in Germany's Cologne Cathedral is adorned with 200 carats of gems thought to be emeralds but, in reality, the August birthstone peridot. Some historians even theorize that Cleopatra's famous emerald collection was made of peridot.

The word "peridot" comes from the Arabic Farid, meaning gem. This August birthstone was valued in many ancient and medieval cultures. It appeared in priests' jewelry as early as the second century BCE and later in the chalices and churches of medieval Europe. The peridot birthstone has also been used for centuries as a protective talisman, shielding the owner from evil spirits and "terrors of the night.

Where is Peridot Found?

Peridot, the birthstone for August, has a remarkable history. While much of the peridot available today in jewelry hails from places like China, Myanmar, Pakistan, Tanzania, Vietnam, and the United States, some traveled to Earth on meteorites while others can be found in far-flung locales like Peridot Beach, Hawaii, where the sands glow a glowing green.

This oldest recorded birthstone of the Egyptian island, Zabargad - now the name given to Topazios - probably mining began sometime between 340 279 BC. The beauty of the produced peridot however made it on less desirable soil with ominous names such as the Island of Death or Ophiodes ('snake island') and continues to be of significant demand during centuries. The best specimens of the birthstone for August may be seen in the finest museums of the world.

Arizona is the main source of this August birthstone in the United States. Huge volcanic eruptions many thousands of years ago spewed rivers of lava across the desert landscape of what is now the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation, where some Apache families have mined for decades.

Peridot Care & Cleaning

Peridot has a hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness, which makes it softer than many gems and cannot take hard wear; hence, it is not recommended for daily use in a ring. This August birthstone can also be damaged by some acids and even by long-term exposure to acidic perspiration. Cleaning peridot is a delicate process. Never use a steam or ultrasonic cleaner, as your peridot birthstone is vulnerable to thermal shock. It is safest to use a s0ft-bristle brush with mild dish soap in warm water. Peridot should be stored with care to avoid scratching by gems with greater hardness.